Greater focus on prevention, early detection and effective management is needed.
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has today published new research which suggests that by 2020 the number of adults aged 45+ years in the Republic of Ireland with diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed) is expected to rise to more than 175,000 people (9.1% of the population aged 45+ years).
The research was conducted by IPH in collaboration with the HRB Centre for Diet and Health Research at University College Cork and the Centre of Excellence for Public Health Northern Ireland at Queen’s University Belfast. It is based on an analysis of the latest national health survey, SLÁN 2007.
IPH’s Information Analyst, Lorraine Fahy outlined some of the key findings from the research including:
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In 2010 it is estimated that 3.2% (106,000) of adults aged 18+ years in RoI had diabetes in the previous 12 months that had been diagnosed by a doctor (clinically diagnosed). This consists of 0.7% (12,000) of adults aged 18-44 years and 6.2% (94,000) of adults aged 45+ years.
- Rates of diagnosed diabetes are similar among men and women (0.7%) aged 18-44 years, and among men (6.0%) and women (6.3%) aged 45+ years
- By 2020 the rate of such clinically diagnosed diabetes for all adults aged 18+ years is expected to rise to 3.8% (136,000 people). This represents a 28% increase (an additional 30,000 adults aged 18+ years) in just ten years.
- In 2010 it is estimated that 8.9% (136,000) of adults aged 45+ years in RoI have diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
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A subset of those aged 45+ years in the SLÁN 2007 survey were also clinically examined
- Of these 2.7% (41,000) of all adults aged 45+ years had undiagnosed diabetes. Hence amongst adults aged 45+ years, 30% of all diabetes is undiagnosed
- Undiagnosed diabetes is more common among men aged 45+ years (4.0%) than women (1.5%) aged 45+ years.
- By 2020 the number of adults aged 45+ years with diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed) is expected to rise to more than 175,000 (9.1%). This represents a 30% increase (an additional 40,000 adults aged 45+ years) in just ten years.
Commenting on the findings, Ms Fahy said that the fact that large numbers of adults are living with diabetes and that this number is expected to increase has significant implications for the individuals concerned, their families, as well as the health and social care system and Ireland’s economy.
Professor Ivan Perry from the HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research, UCC said: “We are currently in the grip of a global epidemic of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Ireland is clearly not immune from this phenomenon which has the potential to overwhelm health services over the next decade. Most people now understand the causes of obesity and diabetes. Unfortunately knowledge alone does not change behaviour. In the past we have over–emphasised the issue of personal choice and responsibility in the area of diet, physical activity and health and largely ignored the need to change both our food environment and physical environment in ways that will support healthy choices through public policy. In this context the current government proposals for increased taxation on sugar sweetened soft drinks is critical.”
Dr Anna Clarke, Health Promotion & Research Manager with Diabetes Ireland said: “It is important to raise awareness of the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Increases in Type 2 diabetes is being fed by rising obesity and inactivity levels, whereas Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition that currently is not preventable.
Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, Chair of the Diabetes in General Practice Group, spoke at the launch and referred to a quote from Albert Einstein: “Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow”. He said that this study’s findings tell us about what lies ahead and emphasised the importance of prevention, early detection, and effective management in addressing the burden of diabetes.
Ms Fahy also said that reliable estimates and forecasts of the number of people in the community living with chronic conditions are needed to effectively plan and deliver services. Local data in particular would allow policy-makers and service providers take a more targeted and comprehensive approach. While no single data source tells the whole story, survey data are particularly useful in describing what is going on at the population level.
For more information contact:
Pat Montague, Montague Communications, 087 254 9123 or pat@montaguecomms.ie
Notes to the editor:
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) promotes cooperation for public health on the island of Ireland.
The diabetes report and detailed data tables are available from the Chronic Conditions Hub (http://chronicconditions.thehealthwell.info/chronic-conditions/diabetes) of the Health Well website.
Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to properly use insulin, a hormone that helps to control blood sugar levels by helping glucose enter cells to be used as energy. There are two types of diabetes (Type 1 & Type 2): Type 1 tends to occur in childhood when the body is unable to produce any insulin because the immune system has destroyed the insulin-making cells of the pancreas; Type 2 usually develops in adulthood when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly.
